Presenters

Bianca Aguilar, BS (she/her) graduated with a degree in Physiology from the University of Arizona and completed the Sonoran Center’s Undergraduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities in 2019. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and is a Sonoran Center Diversity Fellow working on the DISCAPAZ: Disability Experiences in the Borderlands project.

Ivonne Aguirre-Hernandez, MS, CCC-SLP is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist and AAC Coach for Tucson Unified School District. One of the largest school districts in the state, its students come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. She works in the elementary setting and creates professional development opportunities for SLPs and school personnel. Her professional experience includes early intervention, school-age population, and individuals with complex communication needs. She supervises graduate students as part of their externship.

Adam has been employed in his current position as the Employment Administrator since November 2009. He started with the Arizona Department of Health Services/Division of Behavioral Health Services (ADHS/DBHS), which merged with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) in 2016 during the Administrative Simplification to streamline monitoring and oversight of the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs) throughout Arizona. Adam is in charge of the oversight of statewide Medicaid employment services, supports, and programs for AHCCCS-eligible members through contracted health plans. He has worked with members with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) determinations in some capacity since 1999. He is a 1998 graduate of ASU.

Monica is the Vocational Rehabilitation Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinator. Monica began employment with DES/RSA in 2013 as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, holding positions such as Transition specialist and supervisor. She has also worked as a therapist providing services to individuals seeking addiction treatment. Monica has a Master’s degree in Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Arizona and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Chicano Studies from the University of Texas El Paso. Monica is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Monica has extensive knowledge and experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Josh has worked at Easterseals Crossroads since 2011, first in employment services and then moved to the assistive technology department. In 2016, he was promoted to the manager of clinical assistive technology. Josh holds a Bachelor of Public Affairs in nonprofit management with a minor in sociology and is a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). In 2018, Josh took over hosting duties of Assistive Technology Update, the #1-ranked assistive technology podcast. As an assistive technology specialist, he assists individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals in life with the assistance of technology. Josh’s personal mission is “to be the best he can be for his consumers, family, and friends and to have a job that has

Dawn M. Armfield, is an Associate Professor of Technical Communication at Minnesota State University, Mankato where her teaching and research focus on human-centered design in emerging and embodied technologies. Her most recent presentations include “Extended Reality: Creating augmented, mixed, and virtual spaces in the classroom” , “Learning Virtually: Participating in and developing XR environments to gain and demonstrate content mastery, and “Enhancing course content and knowledge development by creating extended realities”. She was also an invited guest for the Room 42 video/podcast on Ethics and Empathy in Technical Communication.

Justice Armfield is a student in the Flagstaff Community Training (FCT) program. In this program, he is transitioning from high school to post-secondary life. He participated in the research by creating a virtual reality presentation of his experience using public transportation.

Shadow W. J. Armfield is a member of the Educational Technology faculty in the Department of Educational Specialties within the College of Education at Northern Arizona University. He teaches technology integration in K-12 environments and professional development. Shadow’s research interests include technology integration in K-12 environments, technology integration in teacher preparation programs, the integration of extended realities in learning environments. Recent publications include Global Digital Citizenship: Providing Context and most recently Technology Integration in a Modified Flipped Spiraling Curriculum: Reversing Roles and Rationale.

Julie Armin is faculty in the Department of Family & Community Medicine and affiliated faculty with the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities.

I am the creator and Director of Evergreen Academy Preschool a subsidiary of Quality Connections in Flagstaff Arizona. Our program is a High-Quality Preschool that is also a training facility for people with disabilities that show a desire to work with children. I have worked for Quality Connections for the past 7 years, 6 of those years I was the Director f Employment Services until I created Evergreen (QCKids) and became licensed in 2022.

Cassandra provides advocacy and support to individuals who are referred for Vocational Rehabilitation services by the Division of Developmental Disabilities. She also provides support to Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Developmental Disabilities professionals to assist them to best understand best practices related to Vocational Rehabilitation services to assure quality services and progress for the individuals both agencies serve. Since graduating from the University at Buffalo in 2017 she has worked in several roles including non-profit, substance use, youth services, and state service. She truly enjoys collaborating and watching the growth and changes as we all work together to improve services for the people we serve.

Kristin Barnett is a National Board Certified Teacher with 25 years teaching experience with students who are Deaf/hard of hearing and those who have complex disabilities. She currently teaches for Dysart Unified School District in the ASPIRE program for students with complex needs. She has 7 years of experience teaching literacy to AAC users and continues to learn new methods to help ALL students read and write.

Janice Bradford is a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor located at the East Washington office in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been employed with VR for 23 years. Her career with VR started as a VR counselor with the SMI population at the behavioral health clinics, and she became a supervisor in 2014. Janice has a background in special education teaching, independent living skills, job coaching, creating enclaves for DDD programs, regional occupational programs in California, and job development and placement. She is passionate about the success of all people with disabilities being successfully employed and self-sufficient. Janice has a BA in Special Education and a master’s degree in Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling .

Brooke Brown is a persistent AAC and disability advocate as Ms. Wheelchair Arizona 2022 and State Coordinator for Ms. Wheelchair America. She earned a bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from ASU where she received the Walter Cronkite Outstanding Undergraduate Award. She a Christian author of three books. Brooke has been asked to speak to many organizations and at community events, sharing her life experiences with cerebral palsy to inspire others. She also runs a creative storytelling ministry called Brooke’s Butterfly Touch, which teaches storytelling techniques to inspire hope and healing from hardships, while eliminating stigmas and misconceptions of people with disabilities.

Elizabeth Brunk is a Secondary Transition Specialist in the Exceptional Student Services Department at the Arizona Department of Education. She has years of experience of teaching Special Education in public schools across Arizona and helping students with disabilities navigate the secondary transition experience in Arizona, and now enjoys training teachers to do the same.

With over 32 years of experience, Mo is a practiced professional in the field of disabilities providing services and support to those with disabilities, their families & schools. She managed autism programs/services for over 6,000 students as Director of Autism & Intellectual Disabilities at Chicago Public Schools. She was also a special education teacher, autism itinerant, and special education administrator. Mo possesses a M.Ed-BD, M.Ed-ADMIN, QIDP certification, Director of Special Education degree/certificate from Illinois and her Type 75 Administrator certification. Mo is a dynamic, international speaker and well-respected authority on autism, intellectual disabilities,

Korina is the co-owner of Kaibab and has over 15 years of experience in the field of education with a focus on special education. Korina has a background in teaching students with special needs and coaching Positive Behavior Intervention Supports in early childhood through secondary education. She has additional experience assisting individuals with socially significant behaviors. She currently supervises early intensive interventions for children with Autism to assist with basic language learning skills. She is an Arizona licensed behavior analyst and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her passions focus on training, coaching, evaluation, and sustainability of multi-tiered systems of support.

Anya is a 2014 graduate of Arizona Youth Leadership Forum, and a 2017 graduate of Arizona Youth Engagement Academy. She is an original member of the Arizona Youth Leadership Initiatives (AZYLI) Alumni Association, where she served as both Secretary and Chair. She was the Inaugural Secretary of the Diverse Ability Incorporated Board of Directors, and went on to become the first paid employee of the organization. She now serves as the full-time Peer Based Services Professional for Diverse Ability Incorporated, where she contributes to the growth and development of the goals, initiatives, projects, and strategic plans of the organization, by implementing and enhancing practices related to youth-led, youth-driven, peer-based services.

My name is Emmy Cartwright and I am a special education teacher with a fierce passion for AAC devices and communication access for all. I attended Northern Arizona University where I received degrees in Elementary Education & Special Education. I am a teacher in a Cross Categorical program at Marshall Elementary School. In working with students in my classroom with complex communication needs and observing interactions with their peers, I found new ways to bring our community together using research based practices which has proven effective. As a teacher, I believe in supporting my students with complex communication needs through educating all, enriching inclusion opportunities, and presuming competency of my students.

During our networking reception on Wednesday evening, magician and disability advocate Cody Clark will be preforming. Using his experience with autism, Cody takes a personalized approach to his shows to ensure everyone feels included, combining the art of magic with a message that our differences are nothing to be scared of, but simply a different way of thinking.

Dr. Copeland is the Medical Management Medical Director for DDD. She is board certified in family medicine and a fellow of the American Board of Family Physicians. She is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona in the Department of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Copeland grew up in the northwest Valley and went to University of Arizona for her undergraduate degree in microbiology. She received her medical degree from Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA and completed her family medicine internship and residency at Banner University Medical Center-Phoenix. She was in private practice for many years in Southwest Phoenix in an underserved area. She eventually sold her practice to a large health system and worked for them for a few years before working with a community health center. Dr. Copeland then served three years as the Medical Director for Healthcare for the Homeless while it was under the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Based upon her years of experience, Dr. Copeland understands the importance having a good support system and social services within the community. As a family physician, Dr. Copeland has always been an advocate of the importance of high-quality healthcare for her patients, including preventive care, regardless of the barriers encountered along the way. Dr. Copeland is married to Mark, her husband of more than twenty years. They have three teenage sons and two dogs. As the mother of teenagers with special needs, she understands the importance of self-advocating and independence, as well as the importance of a strong support system and services. One of her children has cerebral palsy, one has ADHD, and another is on the ASD spectrum. She is very interested in education, accessibility and transitions through life. Dr. Copeland is excited to be at the Division. She is very interested in making sure that people receive high quality services and are achieving their best potential. She has served on the Alliance for Adolescent Healthcare for a few years and understands that our society benefits by being more diverse and that services should be more equitable. She enjoys making connections between people and organizations so that they can leverage their strengths. She likes to find solutions and not let things linger unresolved. She believes strongly in prevention but also understands chronic care management. She is a big advocate for integration of all care, since we only have one body that houses our behavioral health and physical health, including our eyes, ears and teeth! We need to take care of our whole selves to truly be as healthy as we can.

Doug Cutler is an SLP who has worked in non-profit and public schools focusing on assistive technology for the past 20 years. As Regional Product Specialist at Smartbox, he provides training and support for evaluators, clinicians, families, and AAC users. Smartbox is an assistive technology company that provides AAC solutions to disabled adults and children to help them communicate and live more independently. Smartbox is the creator of Grid, an award-winning AAC software that includes options for message generation via symbols or text with word prediction for use across the lifespan. Grid products are compatible with a variety of alternative access methods.

Wayne Dagel, first generation descendant of the Romsa family of the Blackfeet Tribe, has over 20 years of experience in the vocational rehabilitation world. Mr. Dagel serves as director of the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) at Northern Arizona University’s Institute for Human Development.

Dr. Danielson has been specializing in the area of Assistive Technology for over 25 years. She has provided AT/AAC services as a private practitioner, University trainer, administrator of AAC programs, school district coordinator, and private consultant to school districts, parents, and legal firms. Prior to her current full-time teaching position at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Dr. Danielson taught courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of Universal Design for Learning, Special Education, Speech/Language Anatomy, and Speech Sound Development as an adjunct professor at Temple University, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and University of Delaware.

Anthony Dekker, DO, FACOFP, FAAFP, FAOAAM, DFASAM is currently the Chief Medical Officer of the Division of Developmental Disabilities for the State of Arizona. He is committed to the Mission of advocating for our members in DDD. Previously he retired after 37 years of federal service, lastly being a member of the Primary Care Service Line at the Gallup Indian Medical Center in the Indian Health Service. Born and raised in Western Michigan he graduated from Hope College in Holland Michigan. He completed his Osteopathic education at Michigan State University in 1978. He completed his internship and family medicine residency at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and an Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine fellowship at Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. As a Public Health Service Scholar he served Chicago’s South Side for fourteen years. He was Professor and Chair of Family Medicine at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Missouri-Kansas City (Children’s Mercy Hospital) during his four years in Kansas City. He served in the Indian Health Service from 1998 to 2010 in the Phoenix Indian Medical Center as the Associate Director, Ambulatory Care and Community Health and 2020 to 2022 at the Gallup Indian Medical Center. He also served in the Department of Defense and the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System. Dr. Dekker is board certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Addiction Medicine and Pain Medicine. He is a Fellow in numerous professional societies. His areas of expertise include developmental disorders, addiction medicine, chronic pain syndromes, infomatics, high risk youth, domestic violence and behavioral health. Past faculty appointments include clinical professorships at George Washington University (Washington DC), and currently at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and Andrew Taylor Still University (Mesa, AZ).

Brenda Robertson Del Monte has been a Speech Language Pathologist for 20 years. She evaluates, trains and treats those requiring AAC to communicate. She specializes in AAC and Literacy. Brenda teaches webinars and provides consultative services to school teams in Arizona and in the State of Washington through the Special Ed Tech Center based out of Central Washington University. Brenda recently published a book called “I See You In There” where she shares stories about the wonderful families she has meant along her professional journey. Brenda is a also the co-founder of a non-profit called Believe Beyond Ability which serves families in Arizona acquire and implement assistive technology.

Randy Dicks’ work in the human service field ranges from working with the homeless, to working in a rape crisis center, to working with people with criminal histories, as well as with those who experience mental health, physical, and intellectual disabilities. Randy has found that Customized Employment truly is a way for people with significant barriers to employment find meaning and purpose through a job in the community making real wages. Randy joined MG&A as a consultant in 2013. His areas of focus are Discovery and Customized Job Development. n addition to serving as the Certification Manager, Randy is responsible for leading the Mentors-in-training process for MG&A.

As the Statewide Developmental Disabilities Coordinator with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Fiona supports VR staff who serve individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), and coordinates with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Employment team to enhance the collaboration between VR and DDD. Together with DDD she works to implement Employment First in Arizona by helping people with IDD achieve greater independence through employment. Fiona has nearly 15 years of experience working in VR in both AZ and other states, of which she specialized in helping people with IDD achieve competitive employment. She obtained her MS in Counseling in 2010, and a national Rehabilitation Counseling Certification in 2019.

Accomplished musician, educator, and autism advocate Laura Nadine Dooley understands firsthand the struggles and triumphs of living with autism. She has spent over 15 years advocating for a neurodiverse educational model after she and her son were diagnosed with ASD in 2006. She developed an approach for teaching music to students with various learning profiles and invented a MusicBoard, inspired by facilitated communication, to make composition and music theory accessible to non-speaking students.

Laura runs Enlightened Audio, an online and in-person hybrid music school with a mission to make music education accessible. She has self-published two books, recorded various albums, and was the main subject of the biographical documentary, The Shadow Listener: A Voice for Autism, directed by John Schaefer. She also composes music for films, including the Astoria Zuker Award-winning documentary LISTEN. Laura continues to post on her blog, The Shadow Listener, where she provides the layered perspective of someone living with autism, teaching autistic students, and raising a son with autism––what she calls a ”3 Shoes Perspective”.

Visit Laura’s website

Staci R. Dover, M.Ed., M.S., CCC-SLP specializes in augmentative and alternative communication and literacy and has served over 20 years in public education. She is a former National Board Certified Teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach. Staci received a master’s degree in special education/reading disabilities from University of Florida in 2010, which ultimately led her to complete a master’s in clinical speech pathology from Northern Arizona University in 2018. She teaches DIS 524: Assistive Technology and Literacy at NAU and where she also contracts as an AAC evaluator with her consulting company, Speak from the Heart. She is currently researching effective AAC implementation in the K-8 classroom.

Ian Dowdy currently serves as the Director of Strategic Data Initiatives for the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) and is a certified urban planner with a diverse background working in the public sector, performing master planning and land entitlements in the private sector, and has spent the last eight years of his career in public policy surrounding conservation and sustainable economic development in the non-profit arena. In his previous position with the Sonoran Institute, Ian led the Sustainable Landscapes and Communities team that focused on improving the quality-of-life, economy, and environment of the Sun Corridor megapolitan region of Arizona which includes Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott. Recently Ian has served on various boards and commissions including the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance Steering Committee, the City of Peoria Quality of Life Commission, the Arizona Alliance for Livable Communities Steering Committee, the White Tank Mountains Conservancy Governing Board, and the Faith House Domestic Violence Shelter Advisory Committee. Ian was honored with the 2020 Community Practitioner Award from the ASU School of Geographical Sciences and Planning.

Joshua Drywater is the Program Manager, Native Initiatives at the University of Arizona

Diba Fallah is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision in the College of Education at The University of Arizona. She is a Sonoran Center diversity fellow and graduate research assistant for the Elevating Refugee Perspectives study.

Jacy Farkas is the Assistant Director at the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities at The University of Arizona. She also directs the training programs at the center.

My name is Teressa Fax and I have worked in IT related fields for nearly 25 years. I spent most of my career as a software developer for 3rd party add-ons for ERP software. I am currently obtaining my Master’s in Special Education for the Visually Impaired – Assistive Technology. I hope to be a Certified Assistive Technology Instructor Specialist (CATIS) by the end of 2023. My background in IT as well as the fact I was born visually impaired provides me a unique perspective to the barriers faced by those with visual impairments. I have spent the last 2-years teaching assistive technology. I have chosen to work in adult rehabilitation to assist those with disabilities to become gainfully employed.

Currently, I am the Statewide Home Modification Coordinator for Arizona Department of Economic Security, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR). I am also part of the Assistive Technology team with VR. I have my General Remodeling Contractor License through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and have been licensed with them since 1998. I have my Certified Environmental Access Consultant (C.E.A.C) certificate. I completed my Bachelor’s in Management with the University of Phoenix in 1996. As a Contractor, I worked for most State Agencies and several Insurance Companies evaluating and completing Home Modifications for People with Disabilities. In my off time, my wife Corey and I love the outdoors and I also play music.

Therese Fimian has worked in the disability employment field for over 20 years, overseeing national workforce, education and demonstration programs to increase access to employment and economic empowerment for individuals with disabilities. Therese directed a national initiative through which several hundred customized employment positions were created and partnerships with businesses were established. She has worked with national, state and local organizations to develop and improve strategy, policy and practice to increase access to resources that result in employment for individuals with disabilities. Therese joined Marc Gold & Associates in July 2019 and became president of the organization in 2022.

Elizabeth Freund (she/her) has been a speech-language pathologist for 7 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s in communication disorders from Arizona State University. She serves pediatric populations in home and clinic settings, through DDD as well as providing AAC support to teams and families of complex communicators. She also serves on the board of Believe Beyond Ability, a non-profit that provides assistive technology to increase access to movement, play and language to children with multiple physical disabilities. Elizabeth is passionate about working from the social model of disability and challenging the structures that limit community access for those with disabilities.

Mitch Galbraith is an occupaMitch Galbraith is an occupational therapist currently working at the Arizona Department of Education as an Assistive Technology Specialist. In this position he supports the assistive technology needs of public and charter schools in central Arizona. Prior to joining the department, he worked in the public schools as an occupational therapist for 17 years, including several years as an assistive technology consultant. He has worked with students with both low-and high-incidence disabilities in all kinds of educational settings. Mitch has always had a keen interest in assistive technology and has seen the many positive outcomes of its use both in school and at home for children with disabilities.

Kristy Gibson, M.A., CCC-SLP/L brings combined experience as an educator, assistive technology provider and speech-language pathologist serving individuals with medical or complex communication needs. Kristy has been employed in a variety of practice settings & has presented at both state and national conferences. She is currently employed as a Solutions Consultant with Tobii Dynavox in Arizona.

Growing up my uncle was my role model. He was murdered when I 17. I traveled a dark path for many years Suicidal, Depressed and turned to drugs and alcohol to numb my pain. After losing everything my brother inspired me to go rehab. I then became a client with Voc Rehab, and they assisted in getting my life back on track. I now give back to others by sharing my recovery story.

A nationally recognized leader in the field of cultural and linguistic competence, Tawara Goode is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She is the director of the National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) at Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (GUCCHD) as well as the Deputy Director of the GUCCHD’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.  

Adonis Hatcher is a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Specialist with the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration Vocational Rehabilitation. Adonis has worked previously in the behavioral health field and has done investigations with the Arizona Department of Child Services and Adult Protection Services. In his current role, he provides information and guidance to contracted vendors, local VR offices, schools, and the community about the Pre-ETS program.

Shelley Haven is a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), Rehab Engineering Technologist (RET), and former engineer who specializes in matching students with appropriate technology. Her consulting practice, Technology to Unlock Potential, serves families, educators, and schools both online and in person with a focus on learning differences, ADHD, and executive functioning. During her 36 years in assistive technology, Shelley previously directed AT for Stanford University’s Office of Accessible Education and helped create the Schwab Learning Center at Stanford for students with learning differences and ADHD. She also teaches an online college course for UCSC Extension titled “Assistive Technology for Learning Differences”.

A career Special Educator, Noah Hayes-McKeirnan currently serves as an Academic Program Coordinator at NAU’s Institute for Human Development.

Professor Goode serves as a principal investigator for federal and private sectors/contracts focused exclusively on the development and implementation of programs and initiatives to advance and sustain cultural and linguistic competence and national and international recognition as a thought leader in the field. Her research interests involve the role of cultural and linguistic competence in addressing health and health care disparities among racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse populations, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Dr. Raymond T. Heipp, is a 30+ year veteran of administration and classrooms for general education and special needs students. He has designed many support programs for various schools, Head Start/Early Childhood Programs, Mental Health programs, and facilities. His expertise in assistive technology, sensory items, and creating holistic spaces has enabled him to design updated approaches when working with students of all abilities as well as adults. He currently works with schools and other institutions in classroom, sensory room, and specialized room design as well as consulting on how to best support all individuals in workspaces and which assistive technology and sensory items might be most appropriate in various situations.

Rui Hernandez, MA, CCC-SLP is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist and AAC Specialist for Sunnyside Unified School District (SUSD) in southern Arizona. SUSD is a unique district serving a population where 97% are students of color, primarily from Latinx backgrounds. She currently works in a high school setting. Her professional experience includes early intervention, school-age populations, and individuals with complex communication needs. She previously trained SLP/AuD graduate students culturally and linguistically diverse service delivery methods.

Rebecca Holland joined the Northern Arizona University AIVRTTAC team at the Institute for Human Development after being the State of Montana Counselor Supervisor in the Billings, Montana. Prior to moving to Montana, she was the program director for the Jemez Vocational Rehabilitation Program at the Pueblo of Jemez in New Mexico for 14 years. Rebecca began her work in vocational rehabilitation with the Veteran’s Administration as a psychometrist in Albuquerque. She holds a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University with a CRC certification and has a certificate from San Diego State University in Post-Employment Training in American Indian Rehabilitation (PET-AIR).

Krista Howard is an AAC user and is an AAC Mentor and consultant with We Speak AAC, LLC. Krista provides support in various Virtual Social Groups including Kate Ahern’s AAC Voices and Therapy One’s Out and About. Krista has presented at many conferences around the nation sharing her experience as an AAC user and a model for other AAC users. Krista is a mom of an 11-year-old. In addition to raising her son and working, she is a student at Arizona State University pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree. Krista is also enrolled in the SLPA program at Estrella Mountain College. She plans to be the first SLPA who is an AAC user. Krista Howard is a PRC Ambassador and occasionally receives a stipend for presenting. Krista is a multimodal communicator.

Jules Hyde is an Arizona native with a decade plus experience in and around VR and DDD Employment Programs. Jules started as a job coach with a local provider, and has held supervisor, manager, and director positions in traditional and CIE programs. He has a passion for Employment First Philosophy and has helped a local provider develop and transition from traditional employment training models to one of the first CIE program in Arizona. He currently serves as vice president on the board of APSEAZ (The Association of People Supporting Employment First Arizona ChJules Hyde is an Arizona native with a decade plus experience in and around VR and DDD Employment Programs. Jules started as a job coach with a local provider, and has held supervisor, manager, and director positions in traditional and CIE programs. He has a passion for Employment First Philosophy and has helped a local provider develop and transition from traditional employment training models to one of the first CIE program in Arizona. He currently serves as vice president on the board of APSEAZ (The Association of People Supporting Employment First Arizona Chapter). He continues his passion to advocate for equality in employment with ASD Maverick Consulting.

James Ingram is a Northern Arizona University faculty member specializing in special education.

Dr. Catherine Ipsen has a PhD in Multidisciplinary Studies and an MA in Economics from the University of Montana. She is the Principal Investigator on the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC:Rural), a large grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. Ipsen’s research interests primarily focus on Vocational Rehabilitation service delivery and employment strategies to serve consumers in rural communities, including self-employment as a strategy to overcome gaps in rural employment opportunity.

Tara Jackson has served as president of Arizona Town Hall since July of 2006. In that capacity, she works with diverse Arizonans from around the state to create informed community and statewide sessions where participants discuss challenging political and social topics in a manner that builds consensus and creates blueprints for positive change. She also frequently acts as a facilitator and consultant for government and private organizations. Tara Jackson has served as president of Arizona Town Hall since July of 2006. In that capacity, she works with diverse Arizonans from around the state to create informed community and statewide sessions where participants discuss challenging political and social topics in a manner that builds consensus and creates blueprints for positive change. She also frequently acts as a facilitator and consultant for government and private organizations.

Dr. Lauren Janke is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and the Clinical Coordinator of the AzTAP Adaptive Gaming Clinic here in Phoenix, AZ. Lauren has been working as a direct service provider focusing on assistive technology and powered mobility in the valley since 2021 and started at the Adaptive Gaming Clinic in Summer of 2022. Her passion and focus in her sessions is to empower clients through positioning and access to create a more inclusive environment for all to play!

Anna is a Job coach at Evergreen academy preschool, she was hired as a Teacher’s Assistant and found her passion in the filed of inclusion and became the sole job coach at Evergreen. Anna has worked for Quality connections for 1 year now and has been one of the pillars in continuing this program.

Ashton Johnson is the Senior Project Manager with Arizona Town Hall. She previously served on the Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council board under Governor Glenn Youngkin, where she advocated for children with disabilities. She has worked as a Care Manager, where she advocated for aging individuals and/or individuals with disabilities. Ashton served in the nonprofit housing industry, where she assisted future homebuyers and advocated for homeowners in jeopardy of losing their homes. Lastly, she is proud to have traveled to Ghana to help women through a nonprofit she served as a board member for in Roanoke, Virginia.

Wylanta Jones is a virtual homeschool SLP/AAC specialist for Heartland Charter school of CA though part of the Prescott, AZ area community. Her passion in 20 years practicing (Arizona school Assistive Technology coordinator, school SLP in Arizona/California, NAU AAC assessment team) has been collaborative projects that help AAC users, families and professionals connect with others through AAC camps, community groups and cohorts.

Thomas Kaufmann is an autistic disability advocate, entrepreneur, music enthusiast, and inventor. In 2012, he founded OTOjOY, a local assistive technology provider, whose products have been honored with a CES Innovation Award and an Edison Award. In 2022, Thomas joined Arizona State University’s PhD program in Auditory and Language Neuroscience. His research focuses on human performance optimization via sensory augmentations. Thomas is also a member of the technical committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines and maintains international performance standards for hearing loop systems and equipment and a member of the Self-Advocate Advisory Board of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC).

Mary Keeney, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist and holds graduate certificates in AT from NAU and CSUN. Prior to joining the Arizona Department of Education, she worked as a school-based SLP for 18 years, where she worked with students with both low- and high-incidence disabilities in all kinds of educational settings. Mary has also provided instruction and clinical supervision of SLP students at the university level.

Reginald Laister Jr serves as the Business Development Manager at Saavi Services for the Blind

Chris lanterman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Specialties at Northern Arizona University. Dr. Lanterman began his teaching career as a special education teacher at Rough Rock Community School on the Navajo Nation and at Coconino High School in Flagstaff. Chris is a blind educator whose teaching and research focus on inclusive practice. His primary areas of expertise are in universal design for learning and disability studies. Chris has been a member of the faculty at Northern Arizona University since 2002.

Seth Leblond has worked in the field of Assistive Technology for over 20 years as a sales and support specialist, AT trainer, and program manager for adult comprehensive training. He is now employed as the Assistive Technology Coordinator at the Foundation for Blind Children, where he conducts assistive technology assessments for school children and Senior Citizens, teaches technology in the Adult Comprehensive training program, helps to support the technology of FBC staff and students, and oversees the distribution of equipment and training under a grant program funded by Major League Baseball. Seth is totally blind himself and enjoys cooking, playing several musical instruments, swimming, reading, and raising his 8-year-old son.

Jeremy is the PRC AAC consultant for Central and Northern Arizona. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Science at Arizona State University in 2003, Master’s Degree in Clinical Speech-Language Pathology at Northern Arizona University in 2005, Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology in 2013, and is an AZ Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders ( LEND) fellow. Jeremy holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), is a member of the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA), and is a member of ASHA’s Special Interest Division 12.

Sue LeHew, MS, ATACP is the Assistive Technology Coordinator for Rehabilitation Services Administration. Her education includes a BA from Brooklyn College and MS from Long Island University with a specialty in severe profound disabilities. Sue’s experience includes working with individuals having Developmental Disabilities in New York and Arizona and working with AT (Assistive Technology) for Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living with persons having a wide variety of disabilities since 1995. Sue holds certificates from CSUN (ATACP) and the Assistive Technology Graduate Certificate from NAU. She is currently the Assistive Technology Coordinator for RSA.

Martha Leon has been a STAT Advocate for the Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL) for over 15 years. In her time with ACDL, Martha has worked both as a Special Education Advocate and Director of the Protection & Advocacy Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) project. Her work has included assisting clients through the TBI project, and now helping students with disabilities and their families with advocacy assistance, including special education rights trainings in both English and Spanish.

Lisa Livesay is a Secondary Transition Specialist for the Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services. Since 2009, Lisa has worked to support individuals with disabilities, primarily transition-aged youth and adults with significant behavioral health needs, in pursuing independence through education, work, and other meaningful areas of life. Her experiences serving populations in Pennsylvania and Arizona include roles as an in-patient Secondary Transition Specialist, Behavioral Health Specialist, Mental Health Advisor, Case Manager, Rehabilitation Specialist, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and Policy Specialist. Lisa is passionate about the resiliency and empowerment of Arizonan youth/young adults.

Penelope started working for DDD on August of 2022. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from Georgia State University and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She has been providing employment services to many kinds for People with Disabilities for over 20 years, including Vocational Evaluations, Job Coaching and Job Development, Work Adjustment, Assessments, Vocational Counseling and more…She has worked with Veterans with disabilities, people with mental health diagnoses, Workers who were Injured on the job, and people with many other barriers to employment. She is passionate about her work and enjoys assisting others live their best life and achieve their goals.

Mike is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional and the 2017 ISTE Inclusive Learning Network Outstanding Educator. Mike is an adjunct professor at Ramapo College of New Jersey (NJ) teaching Masters level educators in Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning. Mike is the Director of the Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center and serves on both the CAST Accessible Educational Materials and Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) Advisory Boards.

Aaron spent the last 20 years living and working overseas to support the educational needs of military- connected family members in Japan and Germany. For the last 12 years, Aaron has been a leader in the area of assistive and educational technology in his role as an Instructional System Specialist for the Department of Defense Education Activity. Aaron’s AT experience includes a broad range of school, district and agency wide services and capacity building initiatives

Gabe Martinez, Project Co-Coordinator, has worked as a peer mentor and office assistant at the Sonoran UCEDD for one year. He is a 2016 graduate of the Sonoran UCEDD’s Project Search. Being a former Project Search student, Mr. Martinez has great insights and ideas on assisting future students. Previously he was a courtesy clerk at local grocery store. He has volunteered at a local hospital, working the outpatient services desk and at the office of a local non-profit agency. Mr. Martinez is a regular speaker and trainer for webinars, course guest lectures, and high school student classroom presentations. His favorite thing about his job is helping others to achieve their dream of an education and job like he has accomplished.

Jon Meyers became Executive Director of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council in March 2022, after serving as Executive Director of The Arc of Arizona since 2013. Jon’s background spans more than 35 years and ranges from the arts and education to social services and animal welfare. He has held executive and development positions with, among others, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Arizona State University/ASU Foundation; Thunderbird School of Global Management; and Ronald McDonald House Charities. He began his professional career in the External Relations office at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. Jon is a graduate of Santa Clara University with degrees in Theatre Arts and History.

Kelsey Montano is the Pre-ETS Project Coordinator at the University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities. Kelsey obtains a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human development which has given her the foundation she needed to work with school age students in transition and employment. Through her line of work and experience, she uses her drive and passion to practice new and innovative strategies to further the development towards a successful Pre-Employment Transition Services in various capacities.

Janna Murrell became a volunteer with Raising Special Kids in 1998, after experiencing firsthand the value of Parent to Parent support when her son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. After working with families in the nonprofit arena for 12 years Janna joined the staff at Raising Special Kids in 2008 and has worn several hats; Family Support Specialist, Director of Family Support and Education and now Assistant Executive Director. Janna is a Credentialed Peer Parent Support Partner; and BHT, Certified Trainer of the ASQ 3 and ASQ se, Accredited Provider of Level 4 Group Stepping Stones Triple P, Certified Trainer for Serving on Groups That Make Decisions & Certified completion of the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support.

Jeremy is a Student Development Coordinator and Educational Coach (EC) with the Institute for Human Development at Northern Arizona University (NAU) for the Supporting Inclusive Practices in College (SIP-C) program. He has worked with SIP-C since 2021 and supports students residing in the Flagstaff area. Jeremy holds bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Sciences (BS) as well as Spanish (BA) from Northern Arizona University. Jeremy also has a background in adaptive recreation, to include skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking. Through this combination of experiences, he has developed a passion for providing services and supports to people with disabilities in multiple walks of life.

Accomplished musician, educator, and autism advocate Laura Nadine Dooley understands firsthand the struggles and triumphs of living with autism. She has spent over 15 years advocating for a neurodiverse educational model after she and her son were diagnosed with ASD in 2006. She developed an approach for teaching music to students with various learning profiles and invented a MusicBoard, inspired by facilitated communication, to make composition and music theory accessible to non-speaking students. Laura runs Enlightened Audio, an online and in-person hybrid music school with a mission to make music education accessible. She has self-published two books, recorded various albums, and was the main subject of the biographical documentary, The Shadow Listener: A Voice for Autism, directed by John Schaefer. She also composes music for films, including the Astoria Zuker Award-winning documentary LISTEN. Laura continues to post on her blog, The Shadow Listener, at lauranadine.net, where she provides the layered perspective of someone living with autism, teaching autistic students, and raising a son with autism––what she calls a ”3 Shoes Perspective”.

Brian is the director of assistive technology at Easterseals Crossroads and is responsible for the agency’s assistive technology service lines including INDATA, Indiana’s federally-funded statewide assistive technology program. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Anderson University and is a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional. He is well-known for his creative approach to both school and work-related accommodations. He is the host of “ATFAQ – Assistive Technology Frequently Asked Questions” a popular internet radio show and podcast, and his personal mission is “to love his family well and to help people lead more independent and fulfilling lives through the use of assistive technology.

Elizabeth Burton Ortiz has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, a Master of Arts in Political Science, and a Juris Doctor. In 2009, Ms. Ortiz joined the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council, where she serves as Executive Director. Ms. Ortiz is a sworn special prosecutor in several Arizona counties, and serves as co-chair of the Arizona Governor’s Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women, in addition to being a member of several national and statewide boards. Ms. Ortiz teaches extensively throughout the United States and in Mexico, and facilitates the What You Do Matters: Lessons From the Holocaust program. In 2022, Ms. Ortiz was recognized by the State Bar of Arizona with the Michael Cudahy Criminal Justic

Erika N. Palm, PhD, MA, CCC-SLP has practiced as a Speech-Language Pathologist since 1999 in home, school, and clinic settings. She currently works for the Institute of Human Development providing Early Intervention services in Arizona, including on the Navajo Nation. Erika earned her PhD in Interdisciplinary Health in May of 2023. Her research interests include a variety of topics focusing on health equity and disability. In her newly reacquired free time, Erika enjoys hiking, playing the piano, knitting, gardening, and spending time with her two children.

Dr. Wendy Parent-Johnson is the Executive Director of the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities and Professor in the Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine at the University of Arizona. She has a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Doctorate Degree in Education with an emphasis on Transition for Individuals with Severe Disabilities, both from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Parent-Johnson has thirty seven years’ experience in the areas of supported and customized employment, transition from school to work, and Employment First policy and practice. She is well-known for her state, national, and international work focused on improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

Jennifer Perry is a high school special education teacher with 24 years of experience. She teaches students with intellectual disabilities (ID) and facilitates a peer tutoring program to support the students during academic and social activities. Jennifer is passionate about creating and maintaining an inclusive school climate as well as literacy instruction for students with ID. She has earned a BS in Elementary & Special Education, a Master of Education in Educational Technology, a Master of Education in Special Education and a Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology. She has achieved National Board Certification as an Exceptional Needs Specialist. She was selected AZ Council for Exceptional Children’s Teacher of the Year in 2016.

Laura Plummer, MA, CRC, ATP is the Assistive Technology Program Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. In this position she directs Wistech, Wisconsin’s Assistive Technology Act Program, along with the iCanConnect program. Ms. Plummer teaches the Sensory Disabilities Course for Northern Arizona University, part of the AT Certificate program. She works on local, statewide, and national levels to ensure comprehensive AT information is available for individuals with disabilities. Her experience includes conducting assistive technology assessments, connecting consumers to resources, and providing trainings at the local, statewide, and national levels. Ms. Plummer has both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Deafness Rehab

With 20 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist and having owned her own private practice for 8 years, Sheri has been an active participant in several programs and research projects involving the implementation of AAC devices and promoting communication in both classroom and personal settings. She has a wide range of knowledge in augmentative and alternative communication, the evaluation of speech and language abilities and the application and implementation of communication and language-based activities. As a Saltillo consultant, Shei believes in finding the best possible plan of action for her clients which includes allowing her client to participate in the planning and creating of their own goals.

Matthew Press, DAD2, MHS, OTR/L, ATP is an occupational therapist and assistive technology practitioner. He has practiced in the field of occupational therapy since 1999 and has focused on assistive technology since 2002, earning his ATP credentials along the way. Matthew regularly presents at state and national conferences. He has taught courses in assistive technology at Adventist University, Northern Arizona University, AT Still University, and the University of Florida. He currently works in the Peoria Unified School District as a full time member of the Assistive Technology team.

Traci Zweig Przecioski, MA, CRC is the Statewide Transition Coordinator for the State of Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation program. She received her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Arizona and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Traci has spent 16 years working to help individuals with disabilities through Vocational Rehabilitation to achieve their employment goals. Traci has spent the last 6 years working to improve transition services for students with disabilities through collaboration with Arizona school districts, community organizations and other state government agencies.

April Reed is the Vice President of Advocacy and Designated Legislative Lobbyist at Ability360. Reed received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University. She creates programs that empower individuals with disabilities and their families through advocacy-related workshops, one-on-one mentoring, facilitating wellness groups, providing technical assistance to develop consumer-driven initiatives and developing community partnerships to address barriers to consumer choice, equal rights and self-determination. Reed supervises several programs including the 50-member peer mentor volunteer team; Benefits 2 Work Program and This is MY Life self-advocacy educational program.

Karla Rivas Parker works for AzTAP as an Assistive Technology Specialist. She has over 25 years of experience and a lifelong passion and advocacy work in the field of disabilities. Karla is the proud recipient of two Fulbright Scholarships which allowed her to obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Chico in 1990 and a master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University in the year 2000. Karla also earned a second master’s degree (in Education and Vision Studies) from the University of Massachusetts. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS), and she is a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT).

Ivan L. Rivera is a Community Work Incentives Coordinator and the Manager of Ability360’s Benefits 2 Work Arizona Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program since 2017. He also worked as a counselor for The Salvations Army Rehabilitation Center, counseling drug/alcohol dependent individuals and those with mental health issues. As a Certified Financial Coach, he also educates youth and adults encouraging continuing education, employment, and healthy financial habits that help them to create more financially sound lives for themselves and their families. Having a disability himself, he understands the need for self-advocacy and the right to live independently.

Sarah Robles (she/her) is a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in Veterinary Science with a minor in Mexican American Studies. Since being at the University of Arizona, she worked with the Immigrant Student Resource Center and was part of a great mentorship program where she helped create workshops tailored to students of DACA, undocumented, and refugee status. She intends to go to veterinary school and is currently volunteering with Angels in Autism which provides equine therapy for individuals with autism. Sarah is a Sonoran Center Diversity Fellow working on the DISCAPAZ: Disability Experiences in the Borderlands project.

Dr. Saia is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Rehabilitation Technology Certificate at San Diego State University within the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education. She is a disabled woman with a deep commitment to social justice, inclusion, and equity for all. Her professional work history has involved advocating for a progressive understanding of disability within the applied fields. A shift from diagnosis to disability as a culture and identity. One worth choosing and celebrating.

Betty began working for DES in September, 1986, and has worked in three different DES programs. Currently serving as a Transition Specialist for Arizona Vocational Rehabilitation program. Betty first began working with high school students with disabilities in 2000. When she started working with the “Transition” population, Betty found her passion as well as her career. Betty obtained a Master of Arts in Special Education and Rehabilitation and achieved Certified Rehabilitation Counselor status in 2006. Betty has worked with many partner agencies. Betty’s favorite aspect of her job is connecting students, educators, and other partners to resources, and acting as an advocate for youth and families during their transition journey.

Judith Schoonover, MEd, OTR/L, ATP, FAOTA is an OT and former teacher. A nationally and internationally recognized speaker, Judith presents on school-based occupational therapy, transition, literacy, play, and assistive technology, and has authored numerous articles and chapters. She is passionate about creating accessibility solutions from easily found materials. Judith serves on the National Joint Committee (NJC) for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities; she is a Strand Advisor for The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) and is a managing editor for the Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits Journal. Judith is a recent recipient of the Joy Zabala Spirit Award.

Juliana Davis is the Refugee Health Manager at the Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program, Department of Economic Security.

Adam Spencer, President and CEO of AbleDocs, has been a global leader in the document accessibility field for over 10 years. He specializes in PDF accessibility, accessibility standards, and document usability by adaptive technology users. Adam is also the Vice-Chair of the Standards Council of Canada, which is responsible for the authoring of the ISO Standards for PDF and PDF accessibility. Adam volunteers on several Accessibility Advisory Committees, and is a speaker at conferences around the world, sharing his experience and expertise.

AAC Family supporting 2 users for 15 years while educating, training, and sharing AAC with our Prescott community. Together, the Creators of Fidgetpockets and the Making a Difference Program, where everyone’s different makes A Difference! – Joanna, Zach, Keagan and Ben Sweeney

Ms. Thompson is the Director of Cross Disabilities with Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She has a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Arizona. She has over 20 years of experience in working with a wide range of disabilities, both in the private and government sector as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Vocational Evaluator, Assistive Technology Specialist, and Special Support Provider for the CVHL population. In addition, Ms. Thompson has worked as a presenter with a focus on Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and CVHL with an emphasis on embracing differences and the richness of each culture, in addition to addressing assistive technology to address barriers.

Dr. Lynne Tomasa is an educator and researcher at the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She joined the department’s Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities when it was established in 2006. As an applied researcher, she uses the data collected to develop tools, workbooks, and trainings for the community. Her experience working with persons with disabilities, families, community agencies, health care providers, and students taught her the importance of personal stories and lived experiences. Her work has focused on behavioral health, aging, end of life, and future planning. Her most recent project on sexual violence has been the most challenging and rewarding.

Victoria Tosca is a Research Assistant for Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) Institute for Human Development. Victoria has worked for the SIP-C project since 2021, transitioning students with disabilities to college across Northern Arizona. Victoria is an NAU Alumni, holding a BA in Psychology and a BA in Spanish, and has a professional background in community behavioral health services and vocational services. Being born and raised in Arizona, Victoria loves the Northern Arizona region and has a passion for fostering connection and inclusion across local communities. She is honored to continue to serve Northern Arizona through the SIP-C project and share her knowledge with others.

Jaime Trausch is the Chief Technology Officer at Saavi Services for the Blind. With experience working in corporate, academic, and nonprofit organizations, he strives to improve access technology training and consults on accessibility issues.

Mateo TreeTop, Project Partner, is an Arizona Youth Leadership Initiatives Alumni and Association Logistics Coordinator with DiverseAbility, Inc. As a member of the Standing Rock Lakota Nation, Mateo is very attuned to his culture and is passionate about enhancing life for all Indigenous People. Mr. Tree Top, a person who has a Traumatic Brain Injury, is a graduate of Arizona Youth Leadership Forum (2015), Arizona Youth Engagement Academy (2017), and will be a college graduate in 2022. He is thoughtful, respectful, and wise beyond his years.

Celina Urquidez, MPH, (she/her) is the Education Coordinator at the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she supports programming and students participating in the Centers interdisciplinary pre-service training programs. She serves at the project coordinator for the DISCAPAZ: Disability Experiences in the Borderlands project.

Melissa Van Hook is an Arizona native and an Arizona State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is the owner of ASD Maverick Consulting, a business where the focus is to improve the outcomes for individuals with autism, particularly in achieving competitive, integrated employment. Melissa has 22 years of experience in the world of autism and other disabilities. A Co-Founder of East Valley Autism Network and the Chair for the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Melissa has worked closely with others in the autism community to pass several key pieces of legislation, including the autism insurance bill, Steven’s Law, in 2008.

Abraham Venegas, BA (they/him) is a graduate student at the University of Arizona seeking an MA in Library & Information Studies. He came back to school after graduating in 2019 as a Latin American Studies and History major from California State University, Los Angeles. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and excited for his move to Tucson for graduate school. Abraham is a Sonoran Center Diversity Fellow working on the DISCAPAZ: Disability Experiences in the Borderlands project.

Megan is the Training Coordinator with the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She is experienced in presenting on disability inclusion, etiquette, and assistive technology for a wide spectrum of disabilities.

Laconda has worked as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for over 18 years with both pediatric and adult clients who have augmentative and alternative complex communication needs. She believes everyone has the capacity to learn to communicate and to become an integral part of their communities.

Jim E. Warne is a member of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Nation. Mr. Warne created and administered continuing education programs at SDSU Interwork Institute from 1993-2015. He has written over 40 million in grants and contracts for various Universities and Tribal Nations. Currently, Jim is the Community Engagement Director at University of South Dakota (USD) Center for Disabilities, Oyate` Circle at Sanford School of Medicine and Instructor for USD Pediatrics. Mr. Warne is President of Warrior Society Development, LLC. He consults for various government agencies, organizations and Tribal Nations. Mr. Warne is contracted with University of Arizona College of Medicine Sonoran Center.

Charlotte Willin is an Educational Coach for Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) Institute for Human Development (IHD). Charlotte has worked with the Supporting Inclusive Practices in College Program since 2021, beginning with the program as a Peer Mentor. Charlotte will graduate this May with a BS in Public Health and minors in Psychology and Disability Studies. Being surrounded by a community that fostered inclusion throughout her life, Charlotte will be pursuing her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.

Laura Wooten-LaFranier joined the Arizona Department of Education as an Assistive Technology Specialist in 2020. She started her career in education 22 years ago. She first taught as a general education teacher, and later received her master’s degree and certification in special education. After leaving the classroom, she pursued her goal to obtain a certificate in assistive technology and later provided public school services in the East Valley as an Assistive Technology Specialist.

Abel currently works for the Sonoran Center as the Community Services Director, overseeing many of the employment and transition initiatives. Prior to joining the Sonoran Center, he spent 5 years as the VR Statewide Transition Coordinator, managing the VR transition program. In this role he worked closely with schools and other organizations that served youth. Abel has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s in Public Administration. Abel has a passion for supporting individuals with disabilities and improving outcomes for youth.

Tiffanie is a PhD at the University of Central Florida in Exceptional Learner with a focus on innovative technology. She was previously the Inclusive Technology/AT Coordinator at Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency with experience implementing technology into the special education classroom and general education classroom. She has assisted teachers with implementing technology for students with many different needs. Tiffanie led the State of Iowa’s AEA AT team for 4 years and participated in the State of Iowa’s Students with Significant Disabilities team. Tiffanie was also the team lead for students with significant disabilities at Prairie Lakes AEA and was a special education consultant for three years.